Cyber attacks and protecting yourself from them are issues front and center in Santa Cruz County this January. The Santa Cruz Public Library system launched a series of workshops for parents, children, seniors, and small business owners that may help delete cyber crimes."Stop. Think. Connect." is aimed to making people more aware of cyber risks before they become cyber crime victims."Each workshop is geared toward a different audiences, although anyone can show up to any workshop and get a lot out of it," said Lynne Sansevero, Santa Cruz Public Libraries Manager of Information Technology.Hacking will keep happening because hackers' technology is evolving quickly, experts said. "The tool kits that these people are using are more freely available out. They're being traded and people with no technical skills whatsoever can now use these sophisticated tools and they're getting better and better all of the time," Cruzio co-owner Chris Neklason said.District Attorney Jeff Rosell said while the Internet and computers are integral parts of our daily lives, we're really seeing the same old crimes."The base level that drives people to commit crimes really is not necessarily changed but the methodology and technology certainly has," Rosell said.Still, being hacked is a terrible feeling. "I've never felt so violated and scared. They messed with me," cyber victim Laura Pettey said. Pettey's cellphone and tablet were recently hacked. She's not certain how it happened, but she's trying to ensure it won't happen again."Basically, icons started getting moved around. I'd turn my phone off and I'd wake up, and the icons would just be gone."Pettey said she got rid of her cellphone and tablet after the hack and bought new ones.Upcoming Workshops:Stop. Think. Connect: Parents and EducatorsWednesday January 7, 2015, 7 p.m.Aptos Branch Library, 7695 Soquel Drive in AptosStop. Think. Connect: Kids 8-15 and their parentsSunday, January 11, 2015, 2 p.m.Downtown Branch Library, 224 Church Street in Santa CruzStop. Think. Connect: Older Community Members and SeniorsWednesday, January 21, 2015, 4 p.m.Downtown Branch Library, 224 Church Street in Santa CruzStop. Think. Connect: Small BusinessWednesday, January 28, 2015, 7 p.m.Scotts Valley Branch Library, 251 Kings Village Road in Scotts Valley

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. —

Cyber attacks and protecting yourself from them are issues front and center in Santa Cruz County this January.

The Santa Cruz Public Library system launched a series of workshops for parents, children, seniors, and small business owners that may help delete cyber crimes.

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"Stop. Think. Connect." is aimed to making people more aware of cyber risks before they become cyber crime victims.

"Each workshop is geared toward a different audiences, although anyone can show up to any workshop and get a lot out of it," said Lynne Sansevero, Santa Cruz Public Libraries Manager of Information Technology.

"The tool kits that these people are using are more freely available out. They're being traded and people with no technical skills whatsoever can now use these sophisticated tools and they're getting better and better all of the time," Cruzio co-owner Chris Neklason said.

District Attorney Jeff Rosell said while the Internet and computers are integral parts of our daily lives, we're really seeing the same old crimes.

"The base level that drives people to commit crimes really is not necessarily changed but the methodology and technology certainly has," Rosell said.

Still, being hacked is a terrible feeling.

"I've never felt so violated and scared. They messed with me," cyber victim Laura Pettey said.

Pettey's cellphone and tablet were recently hacked. She's not certain how it happened, but she's trying to ensure it won't happen again.

"Basically, icons started getting moved around. I'd turn my phone off and I'd wake up, and the icons would just be gone."

Pettey said she got rid of her cellphone and tablet after the hack and bought new ones.